Why should I buy Festool routers?

[erock]

The beauty of Festool routers is that they're all in a system, and all work with extraordinary dust collection.  Each of the routers has its own niche, and each complements the other.  The OF 2200 isn't right for some things, but excels at the heavy duty tasks.  It's not approved for use in the CMS due to the limitations of the power switch on the CMS, not any limitations of the router or the CMS hardware.  The OF 1010 is one superb router for use with dovetail jigs and especially the LR 32.  The OF 1400 is a great general purpose router with plenty of muscle for most tasks.  The MFK 700 is tops if one is using laminates.  The comment about using a 36mm hose with the OF 1400 (and the OF 2200) is right on the mark.  Since buying the Festool routers, all my other routers (Bosch, Porter-Cable and DeWalt) have been retired or given to my son.  The dust collection aspect is huge for me.  I no longer need to spend an hour cleaning up a customer's home (or my shop) after I'm done. 

Did your son do something to upset you?   Take away the car keys for a week or something else.         [poke]    [big grin]

 

Eric

 

[Sparktrician]

The beauty of Festool routers is that they're all in a system, and all work with extraordinary dust collection.  Each of the routers has its own niche, and each complements the other.  The OF 2200 isn't right for some things, but excels at the heavy duty tasks.  It's not approved for use in the CMS due to the limitations of the power switch on the CMS, not any limitations of the router or the CMS hardware.  The OF 1010 is one superb router for use with dovetail jigs and especially the LR 32.  The OF 1400 is a great general purpose router with plenty of muscle for most tasks.  The MFK 700 is tops if one is using laminates.  The comment about using a 36mm hose with the OF 1400 (and the OF 2200) is right on the mark.  Since buying the Festool routers, all my other routers (Bosch, Porter-Cable and DeWalt) have been retired or given to my son.  The dust collection aspect is huge for me.  I no longer need to spend an hour cleaning up a customer's home (or my shop) after I'm done. 

Did your son do something to upset you?   Take away the car keys for a week or something else.         [poke]    [big grin]

 

Eric

Sometimes ya just got to let them screw up so that they learn to appreciate the finer things of life.  Methinks it's called "tough love". 

[big grin]

 

[ridgenj]

I have the MKF700, OF1100 an the OF2200 upside down. I breaks my heart to see ( or not to) the OF2200 hiding.
I have have also all kind of routers for my CNC machine that I use for acrylic work. My Festool router are the cleanest after my Laser CNC machine thy only produces fumes. Officially I am building some cabinets for my wife, as a side job I am building a 737NG cockpit simulator with a 180 degrees 1080 HD curved screen. I had to reframe my basement to integrate all components. ETA for all this 2015.

After reading all the postings, I feel that I need the OF 1400 because I have the limitation now of not been able to use 1/2 inch shank bits manually. My OF is upside down and will stay there.

Dust extraction is second to none and only this feature is worth in gold the premium price.
Cheers
Luis

 

[Paul G]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. So if working freehand, what kinds of things would a 2200 do better than a 1400? And vice versa?

 

[ccarrolladams]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. So if working freehand, what kinds of things would a 2200 do better than a 1400? And vice versa?

Paul,

Long before the OF1400 reached the USA I was experienced using the OF2000 and the OF2200. I did buy an OF1400, but I hardly ever use it.

I like the mass of the OF2200. In my experience that router seems easier to use smoothly. Part of that is the unique OF2200 bearings. But also all that mass absorbs shock that with lighter routers is transmitted to the hands and wrists of the operator.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. So if working freehand, what kinds of things would a 2200 do better than a 1400? And vice versa?

I think most people would find the 1400 better suited for handheld work because of its smaller size.  Also, the reality is there really isn't much the 2200 can do that the 1400 won't.  The 2200 was made for production work for the solid surface industry.  In heavy production I'd give the nod to the 2200, everything else the 1400 is far more practical and the better value.

That said I've used the 2200 handheld numerous times routing raised panels that were too large to run through the small router tables I have.  It simple excelled at this.  I was able to cut the whole profile in one pass with a 3 1/4" bit.  You can't do that with the 1400.  

 

[fritter63]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. So if working freehand, what kinds of things would a 2200 do better than a 1400? And vice versa?

The 2200 will drain your wallet faster....

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful. So if working freehand, what kinds of things would a 2200 do better than a 1400? And vice versa?

Spin bigger bits, making cuts in one full pass as opposed to multiple passes, ability to swap bases quickly with the the quick release feature to name a few.  This machine is extremely well balanced and powerful to handle any tough router need.  I think that a great all around combination is the 1010 and 2200 to cover light and heavy-duty routing tasks.  Don't get me wrong, the 1400 is a great machine and if you were only going to buy one that might be the best option.  Personally I would opt for a 2200 as it is an engineering marvel.  Just a great router with lots of ingenuity and functionality and I find it very easy to use hand-held.

Scot

 

[Rickfisher]

Yup ..

The OF-1400 won't turn a big diameter bit ..  Its a fantastic router.  I used mine today, always impressed with how smooth it is .. 

The OF 2200 is a true beast...  Either router will run a 1/2" dado bit through maple.  If however I had to go 50 feet, I would choose the OF2200.

The OF2200 will raise panels .. Easily .. in any wood ..  Its dust collection is even more superior than the OF1400 ..  The downside is sheer mass..  I think its a bit heavier than a PC7518 .. but 10x nicer to use freehand.. 

Funny ..  I actually find the OF2200 the nicest router to use free hand.  Its so stable and smooth ..  but its really heavy .. 

 

[jonny round boy]

Officially I am building some cabinets for my wife, as a side job I am building a 737NG cockpit simulator with a 180 degrees 1080 HD curved screen. I had to reframe  my basement to integrate all components. ETA for all this 2015.

Luis

Sounds like a very interesting project! Maybe you could start a thread with some details? I guess you're heavily into flight sims?

 

[Wonderwino]

My first Festool router was the OF1010, which I bought after looking at the OF1400 side-by-side with it at a dealer.  For the LR32 system, it is the best, being smaller & lighter than the OF1400.  The 8mm bits are every bit as vibration-free as their 1/2" counterparts are, but Festool has drastically reduced their selection.  [mad]  [mad]  [mad]  I then bought the OF700; the only way to improve it would be to add a plunge base for small bits.  I recently bought the OF 1400 to use in my CMS, but would have skipped over it to the OF2200 with the accessory base kit if it was known to be useable in the U.S. version of the CMS....

I need to get rid of all my other routers as they are just taking up space.  I only use the Festool routers anymore, for the dust collection, smooth operation and superior results.  Anybody want to buy a Dewalt 621, two Tritons and a 1/4" Craftsman?  [cool]

 

[Paul G]

Was taking a close look at the 2200 today at the store, love it! All I can say is not making the CMS table compatible with the 2200 seems like a giant Festool FUBAR. I would have taken the 2200 home with me today if the CMS was an accessory. As Homer would say... DOH!!!!

 

[rrmccabe]

I have the 1400 and no complaints. I had a Dewalt prior and I like the feel of it much better than the Festool but not enough to use it instead.

However I pull the Festool off the shelf first because of dust collection and the ability it use it with the track.  Other niceties for me is the ratcheting collet and ease of installing guide plates.

I built something the other day where I had to cut 1/2 dados in MDF using my OF1400. I hate MDF because of the mess. I did this on my 1080 table with the track and there was hardly any mess at all when I was done.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The OF2200 is made to be a hand-held machine -- while it would work great in a table, I think that a lot of the engineering comes from what you can do with a hand-held machine.  It is a dream to use.

Scot

 

[sancho57]

thats the reason I got it for hand held use and yet can be used in a table, I got it for versitility

 

[sancho57]

Was taking a close look at the 2200 today at the store, love it! All I can say is not making the CMS table compatible with the 2200 seems like a giant Festool FUBAR. I would have taken the 2200 home with me today if the CMS was an accessory. As Homer would say... DOH!!!!

check the FOG classifieds, 2200 with accessory kit at a pretty good price

 

[sancho57]

Well here is a good reason to buy a festool router.

Today I was using my 2200 to router a recess for a glass panel in some cabinet doors I made.

I set the 2200 on the door frame which was made of 4/4 walnut and approx 2 1/4 inches / 57.5mm wide.

I plugged the router into the CT and I forgot I left the switch on so the router started up while sitting on the rail.

It just ran there, didnt move, perfectly balanced.  I thought Thats awesome, Im glad I got a festool. If that was my big PC 7518 is would of been all over the place probably fell off my MFT and broke the plastic motor casing etc.

I tell ya when I saw that big ol' 2200 fire up and just sit there… it was a awesome sight.

Dumb move on my part, but a awesome sight

 

[Paul G]

I'm pretty sure my PC would have done the tango as well in that situation. As for the classifieds, are the warranties transferable?

 

[GarryMartin]

As for the classifieds, are the warranties transferable?

From the Festool warranty conditions:

"Festool warrants, only to the original purchaser, that the specified tool will be free from defects..."

This means the warranty is not transferable.

 

[Paul G]

As for the classifieds, are the warranties transferable?

From the Festool warranty conditions:

"Festool warrants, only to the original purchaser, that the specified tool will be free from defects..."

This means the warranty is not transferable.

Thank you, in that case I'll stay with new products, the 30 day return and 3 yr warranty is a big deal for me.